For those of you who saw our segment on WBRE Consumer reports, you may have noticed Jeff Chirco mention vendor referrals and asking the person referring if they accept kickbacks. (For those of you who missed it, please check out WBRE Consumer Reports page).

I wanted to clarify what he meant by this, as well as explain our vendor referral policy. Firstly, anyone planning a wedding or event will save themselves money and heartache by doing a little research into different vendors. Not everyone feels comfortable calling or hiring a wedding planner to do this for them. The next best thing would be going to a different vendor that you feel comfortable with, say a DJ, photographer, or catering hall. Ask this vendor if they can recommend someone within the wedding industry that they PERSONALLY worked with and that they would recommend you hire. Sometimes, you will hear more about who NOT to hire, but it still helps you find the right vendor for you.

Regarding asking about kickbacks- don’t feel shy asking if someone is paying them to make the referral. Some companies call them finder-fees, and others, like catering halls, have advertising connections and other incentives to refer a specific vendor, regardless if they live up to their standards or not.

A wedding planner should never take money from a vendor as a kickback, nor should they charge you for their vendor referral list.

Once you decide to call upon a new vendor, ask them for references. If they cannot provide at least 2 different people to call, do not consider them a reputable vendor, and move on. There are plenty more fish in the sea!

Finally, I would like to take a moment to discuss our policy (Attention 2 Perfection) on vendor referrals. We would be glad to suggest a vendor free of charge. However, we do not give out our entire vendor ‘list.’ We base our referrals on what your particular needs are. For example, you are looking for a florist. We work with many florists that all have different attributes and niches. After learning what your needs are, we then advise you to call one or two that will fit your personal demands. Voila! We just saved you tons of time, and was able to give you a referral right from the get-go.

As long as we are not making the phone calls, setting up, or going on appointments, our vendor referrals are free of charge.

Hope this gave you a little more insight into standard practices and our policies. If you have any questions regarding this matter, do not hesitate to contact us!

Hey Everyone! While I wait for pictures to come back from my recent events, I thought I would share with you the press release I just sent out to the local papers. I think it is so important for anyone getting married to remember that the ceremony is TRUELY the most important part. I have seen brides try to pick out their centerpiece before their own dress because they are obsessed with the look and feel of the reception. By becoming a minister, I am able to help each bride and groom make their day their own. I am genuinely excited about that!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RISE IN NON-TRADITIONAL WEDDINGS LEAVE COUPLES LITTLE CHOICE

Local Wedding Planner Becomes Ordained Minister To Keep Up With Demand

Forty Fort, PA

As the owner of Attention 2 Perfection: Wedding & Event Planning Specialists, Jan Sokolowski has seen first-hand the growing need for alternatives to traditional clergy. With more couples choosing outdoor and non-religious ceremonies, the availability of wedding celebrants is slim to none. Most religions put restrictions and requirements on a couple, not allowing the freedom they seek for their very personal day. The bride and groom then turn to state sanctioned officiants, such as a Justice of the Peace, but there are not enough to meet the demand. To help clients and non-clients alike, Jan has become an ordained minister with the First Nation Ministry.

Jan is available to perform non-denominational wedding services, including outdoor ceremonies. She is able to marry any man and woman, regardless of religious beliefs or location of ceremony. Her creativity and experience as a wedding planner makes each wedding unique, customizing each couple’s ceremony with any music, poetry, or readings that accurately reflect the bride and groom. She is currently booking 2009 and 2010 weddings.

Attention 2 Perfection is a full-service wedding and event planning company serving all of NEPA and the Poconos. The only planning company to have certified wedding & event planners on staff, Attention 2 Perfection offers customized services based on individual client needs and budget. In addition to planning, they offer centerpiece rental, day-of coordination, etiquette advisement, event design, invitations, RSVP tracking, and now, wedding officiating services.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Jan Sokolowski at 570-817-8227, or email jan@attention2perfection.com

Although printed vellum (aka translucent overlays) can be a beautiful addition to any piece of stationary, the ink tends to smudge in humid or hot weather. Invitations with vellum are great, but you may want to reconsider having them on ceremony programs or menu cards. Even if the ceremony or reception is air conditioned, people coming in have warm, sweaty fingers which can result in getting ink on their hands or even their clothes!

Carlson Craft Translucent (Vellum) Overlay

#7 Light Food

In Part 1 of the series, we discussed light colors and linens for Summer affairs. It is important to follow this rule when deciding on the menu. Whether you are customizing your entire menu from scratch, or choosing a package from a list of pre-selected items, it is important to remember the time of year.

Just like November conjures up thoughts of turkey, gravy, and sweet potatoes, July makes your mouth water for lemonade, watermelon, and hot dogs. Without turning your wedding into a backyard BBQ, don’t be afraid to work with your caterer to create a menu that fits the season. People do not want to come in from the heat of the Summer to eat comfort foods. Light fish, grilled chicken, and cold salads can help make your Summer wedding feel like Summer!

Just like your menu, your bar should accommodate the season. Ask a local vineyard to help you pair refreshing Summer wines with your menu. For your beer drinkers, consider offering light wheat ales with an orange slice as opposed to dark, heavy Lagers. For cocktail hour, set-up a sophisticated, non-alcoholic lemonade stand. Add iced tea and water to make a refreshing help-your-self bar at your outdoor ceremony! Your guests will love it!

Photo Courtesy of Geoff White Photographers

#8 Light Drinks

What have you seen or experienced at Summer weddings? Comments and stories are always welcome!

Talk to your cake baker about their concerns for the wedding cake. If you have always wanted butter cream or cream cheese icing, you may need to bend a little to ensure a tasty desert. Especially if you are having a tent reception, the type of cake is very important. Fondant is a better choice for icing because it holds up much better in the heat. Even the inside of the cake matters. Strawberry filling, although indicative of Summer-time, may lose consistency within the cake.

#5 Candy Favors

Amy Atlas Old Fashioned Wedding Candy Bar

As candy buffets gain popularity, I have seen a wide variety of candy used. Some couples choose to do different candies of the same color. My personal favorite was a nostalgic ‘penny’ candy bar, with wrapped candies from the days of corner candy stores. Regardless of your candy buffet theme, keep in mind that chocolate melts (unless you’re an M&M of course!) and that guests do not want to take home a melted mess. Choose hard tacks, jelly beans, gummies, and even lollipops to make your sweet expression of thanks.

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Striving 4 Perfection · Striving (verb): to devote serious effort or energy Perfection (noun): from freedom of fault or defect This is one event planner’s thoughts and tips on making your big day as ‘perfect’ as possible.